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APHIS Core Message Set Questions

and Answers

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The following are questions and answers related to the APHIS Core message set.

Topics include message set overview, animals and animal products, and plants and

plant products.

Message Set Overview

Are there any specific criteria that must be followed for the

common name (PG17)? Can filers pull the line level description

into the common name field? For example, can filers transmit

"tomato" for both grape tomatoes and plum tomatoes, as an

example?

APHIS requests that filers provide the common name for the regulated product. For

instance, grape and plum tomatoes are regulated as tomato. Animal products may

have a general name when listing a product with more specific components. For

example, in PG02 a product reported as bouillon can have a component reported as

milk. When looking for terminology to use, please refer to import documentation
such as permits and phytosanitary certificates. You may also use APHIS’s ACIR

Database to look up common names for fruits and vegetables.

Is globally unique product code a mandatory data field for the

APHIS Core message set? If mandatory, how would importers

and filers determine when the globally unique product code is

required?

The PG01 globally unique product code is an optional field for the APHIS Core

message set.

When is an original phytosanitary certificate required? Where

can brokers go to find out when and where to provide original

phytosanitary certificates?

Certain government-to-government documents such veterinary certificates and

Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) certificates must

be presented in their original paper format at the first port of arrival to the

inspecting officers. While phytosanitary certificates are now accepted as electronic

copies, inspectors can still request originals to verify authenticity. To obtain

commodity-specific import guidance, visit the APHIS Import & Exports webpage or 

APHIS Contacts page to find out how to reach specific programs. Please contact U.S.

Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Agriculture at the port of arrival for information

on where to provide paper certificates.

Since the trade guide correlates Harmonized Tariff Schedule

(HTS) codes with appropriate program codes, and there appears

to be a one-to-one correlation, why does APHIS not assume the

program code based on HTS code?

The Harmonized Tariff Schedule Code master correlation table in the APHIS Core

Supplemental Trade guide and on the APHIS Automated Commercial Environment

(ACE) website makes recommendations based on tariff code descriptions and past

filing data; however not all correlations will be appropriate for all situations.  In

addition, the Government Agency Program Code is a requirement in the CBP ACE
CBP and Trade Automated Interface Requirements (CATAIR) PGA Message Set and

must be entered by the broker. Please contact your software vendor about possibly

using the correlation table to auto-populate certain fields to fit your specific business

needs.

What type of data would be required for in-bond moves? For

instance, will a full APHIS CORE data set be required for Transit

& Exportonds?

APHIS restrictions on agriculture imports and transits, including in-bond movements,

apply to all shipments. Entry types Transportation and Exportation (62) and

Immediate Exportation (63) are exempt for the message set. For in-bond immediate

transportation (61), APHIS still requires admissibility information at the first port of

arrival. Importers and brokers who are not filing electronic entries (other than inbonds) in ACE may submit paper documents at the first U.S. port of arrival.

Importers and brokers filing electronically in ACE should submit an APHIS Core

message set concurrently with the in-bond. Failure to submit the message set with

the in-bond will result in paper clearance of the cargo at the first U.S. port of arrival

and flagging of APHIS Core message set at the in-bond port of entry, duplicating

work.

For APHIS Core submission information, please see “ When to Submit an APHIS Core

Message Set, by Entry Type, in ACE” on the APHIS website. Visit the APHIS Imports &

Exports website for information on restrictions for agriculture imports and transits.

Will we receive a "May Proceed" from the partner government

agency (PGA) when transmitting a disclaim?

The system will not generate an SO70 “may proceed” message when PGA data is

disclaimed, but a one USG message and release will still occur if all PGA

requirements are met.

Will there be a listing of minimally required data elements?

The APHIS Core Implementation Guide does not provide a table of minimally

required data elements as each shipment is unique in the information required by

APHIS. The APHIS Implementation Guide does indicate which data elements are
mandatory, conditional, or optional when reviewing specific PG lines. Please work

with your software vendor to identify which elements are required when filing APHIS

Core message set.

Does anything change for a carrier filing an e-manifest on ACE

with APHIS-regulated shipments?

No. The APHIS Core message set is transmitted at entry (cargo release) and does not

change manifest. The APHIS Core message set must be provided at or before arrival

because it contains the information required to determine product admissibility.

While cargo isn’t cleared on manifest, APHIS does recommend providing accurate

manifest information to help better identify cargo contents.

When is the APHIS Core implementation date?

Beginning January 25, 2021, APHIS will activate Core Message Set flags in ACE. This

will change the severity from a “warning” that a message set is needed to “reject”

entry for not filing the APHIS message set. That means, importers and brokers using

ACE to submit electronic customs entries that include APHIS-regulated plants, plant

products, animal products, or live dog imports will have to use the APHIS Core

Message Set to provide APHIS-required import data for those items. This phase does

not include other live animal imports.

Is APHIS able to view documents in the document imaging

system (DIS)?

APHIS can only view documents properly coded for APHIS per the DIS

implementation guide. The APHIS Core Supplemental Trade Guide includes an

LPCO/DIS Correlation Table that provides DIS document codes for commonly used

APHIS documents.

For shipments to be admitted to a Foreign Trade Zone (FTZ),

will the message set be required?

Entry type 06 for Foreign Trade Zones (FTZ) are exempt from message set filings at

this time. Please review the table of entry types for which APHIS Core message set

flags will be enforced on the APHIS ACE website for the most up-to-date guidance.
Remember, FTZ admissions still require the submission of APHIS admissibility

documentation (permit, certificate, etc.) even if no message set is required for the

entry type.

What are the correct units of measure to use when filing an

APHIS Core message set?

Within the Appendix PGA, there is a subset of units for APHIS Core. This is the

general list for most of APHIS. In addition, guidance on APHIS preferred units of

measure by category type are in the APHIS Supplemental Trade Guide. One

exception to this list is the cut flowers and greenery commodity category type,

which is limited to box (BX), bouquet (BQT), bunch (BH), and stem (STM).

Will there be a de minimis exception for APHIS Core?

APHIS does not have a de minimis exception for admissibility of regulated goods.

Filers may submit admissibility information using any applicable entry type including

the new entry type 86 for de minimis goods.

Please clarify “per agency guidance." Does this mean a specific

say email from USDA or something more general?

Disclaim code B (“per agency guidance”) refers to a product regulated by APHIS, but

the agency has determined the product does not need a message set or license,

permit, certificate, or other document (LPCO) as a condition of entry. Admissibility

guidance can be found on the APHIS Imports and Exports webpage or by contacting

APHIS directly. Example: Certain animal products fall under Veterinary Guidelines

that do not require LPCOs.

Will we be able to file in a standalone APHIS system, much as

we can for the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)?

APHIS Core does not have a standalone system for filing message sets. Message sets

for APHIS Core must be filed in ACE at or before arrival in the United States.

For commodities that do not require permits,will we have to fill

out APHIS Core?
When APHIS Core flags a shipment as AQ2 (data is required), a message set is

required regardless of whether a license, permit, certificate or other (LPCO)

document is required for admissibility. When APHIS Core flags a shipment as AQ1

(data may be required), you must file a message set if an LPCO is required for

admissibility. However, if no LPCO is required for admissibility, the shipment may be

disclaimed. Please see the APHIS Core Supplemental trade guide for more

information on disclaiming.

Does the actual USDA import permit have to be attached to the

entry through the Document Imaging System (DIS) or just the

number of the permit entered into the message set?

APHIS has successfully integrated ACE with ePermits and eFile (the agency’s

permitting systems). This integration allows ACE to automatically match permit data

reported in PG13/14 record lines with official permit records from ePermits and eFile.

“LPCO Type” and “Number” are key data elements for a successful match. When

reporting permits issued by ePermits and eFile, an SO72 match/no match message

will be sent to the filer. This message is informational only and lets the filer know

whether the officers received the permit via the automated process. If the filer

receives a no match permit, first check that the “LPCO type” code is appropriate for

the permit (a table of codes and their respective permits can be found in the

Supplemental Trade Guide). If both the “LPCO type” and permit number are correct,

please upload your permit into DIS with the appropriate codes for APHIS and send an

e-mail with the entry and permit number to ace.itds@usda.gov so that we can

determine the issue.&

Several APHIS permits are not currently transmitted to CBP ACE DIS and will not

match with proper input. These permits include Veterinary Services Center for

Veterinary Biologics permits and Animal Care permits.

Will the PPQ application number be accepted in lieu of the

permit number? Some ports of entry will accept the application

number for entry.

If you only have an application number, filers may submit the PPQ application

number in lieu of the permit number when applicable. The application number does

not have the same matching feature of permits. Please upload a copy of the
application to the DIS to help expedite your shipment. Note: if you do have a permit

number and submit with the corresponding LPCO type in the message set, the

permit will automatically be available to the CBP Agriculture Specialist. This means

you would not need to upload a copy of the permit to the DIS. Currently, Animal Care

and Veterinary Services Center for Veterinary Biologics do not match in the DIS and

must still be uploaded.

Is the product code number (PG02) really conditional? If so,

what are the conditions and where can we get a reasonably

sized download of possible codes.

The PG02 product code is optional for all message sets, except for all Veterinary

Services Center for Veterinary Biologics permitted products that use an APHIS 2006

permit (LPCO type code A06 and PG10 Category Code 307).

Speak to your software vendor about using this field to auto-populate other fields

based on product codes. Some readily available codes include the GS1 Global

Product Classification Lookup, Taxonomic Serial Number (TSN), and the UN Standard

Products and Service Code (UNS)

On live perishable entries, how long will it take to get a

response so a shipment is not delayed?

After entering an APHIS Core message set that passes all validation, the filer will

receive a “may proceed” message. This does not bypass the authority of CBP

Agriculture to place a shipment on hold for review or inspection.

Please elaborate regarding the meaning of "LPCO"?

APHIS requires various licenses, permits, certificates and other documents (LPCO) as

a condition of entry. LPCOs include permits, phytosanitary certificates, CITES

certificates, certificates of origin, and health certificates, as well as required

manufacturer statements. LPCO’s provide CBP Agriculture and APHIS officers with

the ability to clear and/or inspect commodities. Some LPCOs provide key information

about the commodities’ identity (e.g. the name, amounts, conditions, origin etc.),

provide statements of sanitary/cleanliness, or conditions of admissibility (e.g.

permission, authorizations, attestments, statements, etc.), and provide arrival
notification (e.g. notice of arrival, declaration of importation, etc.).

Do you anticipate releasing another version of the

Implementation Guide soon?

APHIS regularly updates the Implementation Guide and the Supplemental Trade

Guide to make corrections, adjust data element requirements, and update rules.

With any new release, APHIS will notify stakeholders about the updates.

Stakeholders may also visit the APHIS ACE website to see the most up to date

releases.

I understand that if the product is subject to AQ1 and has an

LPCO that a full message set must be submitted via ACE.That

said, could you please elaborate on what you mean by O

(Other). What document would be considered Other?

An example of an “other” document would be a manufacturer’s statement verifying

a condition for an animal product. Please refer to the requirements of individual

APHIS programs to determine import requirements.

What happens if an Importer forgot to renew their permit? Is

there a way to input or will the shipment be rejected?

Currently, APHIS Core message set does not validate the expiration dates on

permits. An expired permit would not be rejected if entered into PG13/14. However,

CBP Agriculture reviews documentation on behalf of APHIS and will reject shipments

that do not import requirements, including expired permits.

Is there a list of LPCOs which will only be required electronically

vs. paper?

For a full list of LPCOs and their submission requirements please see the LPCO/DIS

Correlation Table in the APHIS Core Supplemental TradeGuide.

Is there an exemption for personal shipments bought in the

market, which there is no manufacturer statement and/or LPCO?
APHIS regulates all shipments regardless of end use including express courier. For

small value shipments, the filer may use the new entry type 86 for reporting

information electronically.

For DIS submissions, are "APH" tags valid via Electronic Data

Interchange (EDI)? Recent reject of APH_STAT states it is not a

valid active document label for EDI.

Please be sure to use the most recent APHIS Core Implementation Guide and CBP

ACE DIS implementation guide when filing ACE data for APHIS Core.

The manufacturer/producer's statement, as required on the VS

16-6A, must also be loaded under the PG14 record. As this

document does not necessarily have a number, what would

APHIS advise to use if no number exists?

For documents that do not have a uniquely assigned number, please report the

name of the document in the PG14 LPCO number line.

The importer (IM) is shown as a required element, but the

Implementation Guide says to submit CB (customs broker) as a

mandatory party and to use IM - importer if CB is not used. Can

you please clarify if the mandatory importer referenced is the

LPCO authorized party (LAP) or is APHIS saying that IM should

be used vs CB?

APHIS requires the contact and address information for two entities: the ultimate

consignee (UC) and the customs brokers (CB). In a situation where a customs broker

is not used, then the importer of record should be identified. When inputting a

license, permit, certificate or other (LPCO) document information into the message

set, APHIS requires the reporting of the LPCO authorized party (LAP). Other entities

may need to be reported as described in the APHIS Core Implementation Guide.

May we begin transmitting APHIS/USDA messages in our

ABI/ACE Transmissions before January 25, 2021?
The APHIS Core message set has been in production since 2016. APHIS encourages

filers to begin filing message sets before the January 25, 2021 date. If you have

questions or receive any errors when filing APHIS Core message sets, please contact

us at ace.itds@usda.gov.

Will APHIS Core require software revisions, such as what was

done when FDA went live in ACE?

Please refer to the most updated APHIS Core Implementation Guide for software

needs. Although we might make changes to the APHIS Core Implementation Guide

that require minor software updates, APHIS message set in general is established

and will not change.

Can we pre-file APHIS/USDA info before transmitting entry to

ABI/ACE? Similar to transmitting FDA Prior Notice information?

APHIS Core does not have a standalone filing system. APHIS Core information must

be transmitted through ACE prior to or at arrival for those filing electronic entries.

Working with software vendors you may be able to pre-fill information in your

system before transmitting to ACE. Please see the list of software vendors on the

CBP website.

How will the broker know if the permit number is matched?

When filing PG13/14 APHIS permits, APHIS Core message set users will receive a

“NOT FOUND” message if the permit did match in the system. If this happens,

please scan and upload a copy of your permit to the DIS using the proper APHIS DIS

codes. “NOT FOUND” messaging will not impact a filing transmission.

Will filers still need to submit a paper notice of arrival?

No. APHIS has replaced the paper notice of arrival with the APHIS Core Message set.

The notice of arrival is now a document with optional submission. For the most upto-date information, review the document requirements in the LPCO/DIS Correlation

Table in the APHIS Core Supplemental Trade Guide.
There was a field for general common name, but not anymore.

Is it still required?

APHIS removed the requirement for common name general. Common name specific

(vernacular or colloquial name) remains mandatory.

Is there any support and/or onboarding process for filers who

want to start submitting the APHIS Core message set?

You can submit APHIS Core message sets now. For guidance on how to get started,

please refer to the CBP ACE support website. For information about message set

technical requirements, visit the ACE automated broker interface (ABI) and CBP and

Trade automated interface requirements website. For information on submitting

APHIS Core message sets, please visit the APHIS ACE website. For help with

submitting an APHIS Core message set, please contact APHIS at aphis.itds@usda.gov

.

Are electronic image submissions required? If so under what

circumstances?

Submitting documents to APHIS is conditional based on the document. APHIS

requires paper submission of certain government-to-government documents such as

veterinary certificates, and CITES certificates. While phytosanitary certificates are

now accepted as electronic copies, inspectors can still request originals to verify

authenticity. Requirements for submitting other documents through the ACE

Document Image System (DIS) vary. Please refer to the LPCO/DIS Correlation Table

in the APHIS Supplemental Trade Guide for the most up to date document

requirements.

Who do you contact for assistance with APHIS Core?

For questions regarding submitting an APHIS Core message set, please e-mail

ace.itds@usda.gov.

What is the definition of DFI?
In certain instances, transmitting the crop grower information (DFI) is required in the

PG19 entity section of the APHIS Core message set. Please refer to the APHIS Core

Implementation Guide for information on when crop grower information is required.

For information on code definitions used in the APHIS Core message set, please see

the ACE Appendix PGA.

Are Chains of Custody still required?

Chains of Custody are forms used to transfer actions from CBP Agriculture to APHIS.

Please contact your local port to determine when the form is required.

Are there penalties imposed for clerical errors and

misdeclaration?

For APHIS Core message set data, the primary means of *enforcement* is to hold

the shipment pending corrections. APHIS intends to give brokers every opportunity

to amend declarations and submit correct information.

Are there any options to do PGA correction after the declaration

is accepted?

APHIS intends to give brokers every opportunity to make corrections for the most

accurate filing. Failure to update after a review and request for correction can result

in an Emergency Action Notification.

How is the PG02 Processing Code determined for disclaims?

When disclaiming, no records beyond PG01 are required. Please refer to the APHIS

Implementation Guide and CBP ACE CATAIR PGA Message set for guidance on the

required elements when disclaiming.

Can the Crop Grower (DFI) be different from the Shipper?

Yes. The crop grower is identified as the party who grows the crops and may not be

the same as the person shipping the cargo.

What is the APHIS definition of Ultimate Consignee (UC) for

APHIS Core?
APHIS identifies the Ultimate Consignee as the party in the United States to whom

the overseas shipper sold the imported merchandise. If at the time of entry or

release the imported merchandise has not been sold, then the Ultimate Consignee

at the time of entry or release is defined as the party in the United States to whom

the overseas shipper consigned the imported merchandise. If the merchandise has

not been sold or consigned to a United States party at the time of entry or release,

then the Ultimate Consignee is defined as the proprietor of the U.S. premises to

which the merchandise is to be delivered.

If an entry is flagged for APHIS Lacey (AL1) and APHIS Core

(AQ1 or AQ2), are both message sets required?

Yes. APHIS Core and APHIS Lacey Act Message Sets are separate message sets. If an

HTS code flags for both programs, the filer must submit a message set for each

program.

Is there a list of HTS numbers for the manufactured and

processed products affected by the APHIS flags?

APHIS provided a Harmonized Tariff Code Master Correlation Table in the APHIS Core

Supplemental Trade Guide. The Guide also indicates the category types, category

codes, and the APHIS Operational Program that fall under each HTS code. Please be

advised these are recommendations based on the tariff code description and are not

absolute or all encompassing. In addition, the U.S. International Trade Commission

(USITC) periodically updates the HTS codes throughout the year. APHIS takes

reasonable steps to stay up to date with these changes. Even though an HTS code is

not included on the list, an APHIS Message Set may still be required.

When submitting the Y indicator for PG01 electronic image, are

we always indicating submission of information to DIS?  No DIS

= N indication?

The PG01 Electronic Image Submitted data element is conditional and not always

required. When submitting a yes indicator (Y), the filer is indicating there are

documents available in the Document Image System (DIS). If the filer did not upload

any documents to DIS, the filer would not provide any information in the field.
Where can I find the Implementation Guide?

You can find the Implementation Guide on  the APHIS ACE website and on the CBP

website.

How can an importer know if their product requires APHIS Core?

In ACE, APHIS has flagged the Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) codes that may

require APHIS data (AQ1) or require APHIS data (AQ2). The filer will see these flags

when filing an electronic entry through ACE.

The United States International Trade Commission (USITC) periodically updates the

HTS codes throughout the year. APHIS takes reasonable steps to stay up to date

with these changes. Filers are required to submit APHIS Core information for all

APHIS regulated commodities regardless of ACE flagging. The APHIS Core

Supplemental Trade Guide lists the HTS codes and their APHIS flags. 

Is it acceptable to report routing type 198 (original location)

with the country of origin for all entries? For instance,if we are

submitting an entry with country of origin NL shipping from

Canada to the U.S., can we report routin g type 198 and NL for

the associated country code?

Routing type (PG32) specifically refers to the shipment’s movement into the United

States. If the shipment intended began routing from the Netherlands(NL) and only

transited Canada (CA) to arrive at the U.S. port, then PG32 should indicate that

routing began at NL and the transit country was CA. If the commodities were

imported into CA for storage from NL, then sometime later shipped to the United

States, PG32 should indicate routing began in CA.

How should PG32 be reported if the country of origin and

country of export are different? Is the expectation that multiple

routing types are transmitted in scenarios such as this?

APHIS uses the PG32 data record to capture information about commodity routing,

including the routing type and information about the country through which the

commodity passes on its journey to the United States. APHIS requires the country
where routing to the United States began for all products regulated by the agency.

APHIS uses a separate data record, PG06, to report country origin/source/production

of the goods.

The Implementation Guide states "APHIS Conditions: If LPCO

indicates transiting or transhipment countries then the routing

type is required.” Is this required only if on the LPCO as the IG

states or at any time it transits or transships in another

country?

Please report transiting and transhipment countries when known, even if not stated

on LPCO.

What is the definition of transshipment? If shipment remains in

the custody of the carrier to the United States, would that be

considered shipped directly to the US?

For definitions of transshipment and transit country, please refer to the ACE

Appendix PGA. For shipments where the cargo never leaves a carrier, only the

original location of routing reporting is required.

Should bags of 25 KG be reported only for the bag or also

different levels of packaging, i.e., bags x carton, cartons per

pallet, etc.?

The PG26 record captures data pertaining to packaging of goods and their quantity.

The first record describes the largest container (outermost container) and the

number of containers. The second record describes the contents of the next smallest

container. Records 3 through 6 are used in a similar manner (largest to smallest

container) when necessary. The last quantity record used must describe the actual

amount of product in the smallest container. For APHIS, the quantity reported should

be the “net” quantities. The ACE Appendix PGA lists the units of measure allowed for

APHIS Core message set. The APHIS Core Supplemental Trade Guide provides a

matrix of recommended units of measure by APHIS category type at different

packing levels.
Is "spp., or sp.," acceptable for reporting species when the

genus is also provided?

Reporting of PG05 scientific genus and scientific species names are determined

based on APHIS regulations. The reporting of “spp., or sp.,” for scientific species is

acceptable if APHIS regulates the product to the genus level. For more information

on APHIS regulations, please visit the APHIS Import & Export website or contact

APHIS directly.

Can I file APHIS required information in paper?

On February 03, 2020 APHIS published a Federal Register Notice (2020-01984)

announcing full implementation of the APHIS Core message set. The notice alerted

that “Importers or brokers using ACE must enter APHIS-required import data when

they receive an APHIS-specific HTS flag in order to complete their entry in the

system.” For paper filings, this means that an importer or broker who submits a

paper-based entry to CBP will also submit APHIS required information in paper form,

required by APHIS promptly upon arrival.to prevent duplication. For further

information on when an APHIS Core message set is required please see the web

page," When to Submit an APHIS Core Message Set, by Entry Type, in ACE". 

Animal Products

Is APHIS Core data required for meat and poultry products

subject to FSIS review?

Yes. Both APHIS and FSIS regulate the importation of meat and poultry products,

along with other agencies. As the PGA message sets for different PGAs are separate,

separate data filings are required for each PGA.

Are genus and species (PG05)required for animal products?

APHIS Core PGA data for Animal Products (Category Type AP0300) does not require

the submission of PG05 (Genus & Species) information. Source animal species

information for animal products should be submitted through PG10 as Commodity

Characteristic Qualifier Code A32 (Species Composition). This information is

available on the LPCOs accompanying the shipment.
Can APHIS Core data be disclaimed for used farm equipment

from countries which are not impacted by foot-and-mouth

disease? For example, does APHIS Core data need to be

transmitted for used farm equipment from Canada?

Through enforcement by CBP Agriculture, both APHIS Plant Protection and

Quarantine (PPQ) and Veterinary Services (VS) restrict the importation of farm

machinery. VS requires a foreign government certificate of steam cleaning for used

farm equipment from countries affected with Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD).

Unclean (soiled/dirty) farm machinery from any country is subject to PPQ

soil/contamination restrictions.

APHIS Core PGA data can be disclaimed for new, clean farm equipment or for clean

used farm equipment from countries free for FMD.

Can APHIS Core data be disclaimed for hunting trophies?

The import requirements for hunting trophies vary widely and may involve multiple

PGAs, including APHIS. All trophies are subject to inspection by CBP Agriculture.

APHIS Core PGA data should be submitted for hunting trophies requiring an LPCO. 

Some hunting trophies require a foreign government certificate, while others require

the submission of a copy of the importer’s hunting license/permit or other

documentation.

Do animal byproducts "cell cultures" include equine or canine

sperm?

No. Cell cultures are cells grown in a laboratory. Canine and equine sperm are

typically collected from the live animal, but not grown in a lab.

When multiple codes apply for commodities for human

consumption, which should be used, or should all be noted?

Examples of food commodities for each AP0300 category code 301 through 304 are

listed in the Appendix PGA. In general, only one PG10 AP0300 Category Code is

needed. If a single message set is for food commodities that fall into multiple
categories, then PG10 can be repeated.

Why use "B" disclaim for rawhide pet chews? How do we know

per agency guidance?

The APHIS Supplemental Trade Guide provides examples when disclaim B code can

be used. Bovine rawhide pet chews are exempt from AVS LPCO requirements if they

meet certain import requirements. The guidance for this is posted on the APHIS

website.

For manufacturer's statement,is there a sample available?

There is no defined format for the manufacturer’s statement. The document is

generated by the manufacturer and varies in format.

Will non-dairy products need reporting? For example: imitation

cheese made of coconut oil?

No. You will not be required to submit APHIS animal product data for non-dairy

products that contain no animal-origin material.

How would product that is coming in for use as biofuel

ingredients be handled? Not for human or animal consumption

or end use. Intended for use as a fuel ingredient.

The ingredients used to make biofuel can be plant or animal origin and may be

subject to APQ and/or AVS import requirements. LPCOs may or may not be required.

The intended use code would be 150 “For Commercial Processing as a Non Food

Product”.

For AQ1 flagged new farm equipment, is the statement of "new"

equipment on the commercial invoice enough?

For farm machinery, we recommend that the cargo description as well as other

shipping data or documentation reflect the condition of the equipment as “new.”

CBP Agriculture may still inspect the machinery to verify the condition and ensure no

soil or other contaminants are present.
For the original meat certificates requirement, if the country is

on an e-cert program like Australia, there is no original meat

certificate. Should this be annotated on the chart?

We will address this exception as an update to our Supplemental Trade Guide, which

is due to be released in December 2020.

Fruits and Vegetables

Are there tables available for PG10 category codes? For

instance, is there a table that shows that tomatoes from Canada

would fall under category code 613 for fruit and Mexican lettuce

would fall under 601 for above-ground parts?

APHIS recently simplified and reduced the number of category codes for fruits and

vegetables (AP0600) from 35 to 3. The new category codes and their definitions are

in the ACE Appendix PGA. At this time APHIS does not intend to create a table that

shows category codes and which products they apply to for fruits and vegetables.

When using pre-cleared (A03) code, is a copy of the PPQ 203

accepted by U.S. Customs AQI or will APHIS Core allow for

paperless release of pre-cleared or pre-treated commodities?

The PPQ form 203 is accepted as a copy submitted to the Document Image System

(DIS); however, CBP Agriculture may request original documentation to support the

information provided in the DIS or the message set.

Is A03 used for precleared products? Will these be released

quicker if the documents are in APHIS Core?

The A03 APHIS Processing Code is used to designate a shipment as pre-cleared. This

designation will help the inspecting officer determine the actions necessary to

process the shipment. APHIS expects faster release of shipments when using APHIS

Core message sets compared to paper documents.
Are treatments required to be reported in the PG06 line? If

products are cold treated in transit, would we put the date the

cold treatment was completed?

The PG06 Processing Information is a conditional field that should be reported for

treatments required for entry. Processing dates should be reported if available. If a

treatment occurs in-route and does not complete processing by arrival, the end date

can be left blank. Reporting of processing information will help inspectors determine

actions necessary to process the shipment.

Cut Flowers and Plants for Planting

Is there a database to lookup crop grower codes?

Entity numbers for crop growers (DFI) are not required but requested if available.

This information is sometimes found on government to government certificates (e.g.

phytosanitary certificates).

Entity name (grower name), address, city, and country are required.

What is the threshold amount to differentiate between LSL

(Large Seed Lot) and SSL (Small Seed Lot).

For the most up to date APHIS characteristic qualifier codes and their definitions

please see the ACE Appendix PGA.

If the flowers are in a bouquet do you have to enter an APHIS

line for each type of flower/plant in the bouquet?

Yes. Different flowers and plants in a bouquet require a message set. For more

information on how to report flowers, please see the cut flowers section of the APHIS

Core Implementation Guide.

Miscellaneous and Processed Products
Are filers required to transmit APHIS Core data for lumber

products that do not require LPCO, or only if LPCO is required

for the lumber product? For instance, Canadian cedar does not

require LPCO. Would APHIS Core data need to be transmitted

for Canadian cedar or can filers disclaim?

Please refer to the APHIS Import & Export website for guidance on admissibility

requirements, including whether or not a permit or phytosanitary certificate is

required for entry. You can also reach APHIS through our contacts page to determine

the document requirements for your commodity. If your commodity is flagged AQ1

(data may be required) and does not require a permit, certificate, or other document

(LPCO) for admissibility then a disclaim of B (per agency guidance) would be

appropriate. However, you may choose to file a message set with the minimal data

elements to help the inspector make admissibility determinations. The disclaiming of

a shipment does not preclude CBP Agriculture from exercising their authority to

request documentation or hold for inspection.

Live Animals

What will be required for live animal shipments?

At this time, APHIS Core PGA data is not required for APHIS Veterinary Services

(AVS)-regulated live animals (mainly livestock, horses, birds). APHIS Core PGA data

is required for live dog imports regulated by APHIS Animal Care (AAC).

AVS-regulated live animals are examined and released directly by AVS. Certain AVSregulated live animal shipments may require information to be submitted into a VS

system (Veterinary Services Process Streamlining-VSPS) for import clearance. Note:

live dog imports are still regulated by APHIS, but by APHIS Animal Care, a separate

program from Veterinary Services.